After another night in La Paz (and trying to get used to the altitude again) I finally made my way up north again - to Copacabana. No, not the one in Rio, the original one on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

I really liked the little city: it has a famous cathedral, with a even more famous virgin in it: The Virgin of Candelaria, one of the patron saints of Bolivia. Of course I payed her a visit.

Again I enjoyed nice company: in my hotel I got to know two Dutch girls and an Englishman and enjoyed my first evening with them finishing four bottles of wine on the covered roof-deck of our hostel - uups, that was just a bit too much...

The next morning we all got ready to explore the Isla del Sol island which is about 1 1/2 hours by boat on Lake Titicaca

. The island has the site of the main Inca creation myth. Legend has it that Viracocha, the creator god, had his children spring from the waters of the lake to found Cusco and the Inca dynasty. A sacred rock on the island is worshipped as their birthplace. The island is quite nice to explore but was a tough four hour walk altogether.

Arriving in Yumani my three fellow travellers left back to Copacabana but I decided to stay the night on the island and enjoyed a fantastic and romantic sunset, beautiful views across the lake to the Illampu mountain and later on shooting stars from the roof terrasse of my hostel. And - even better - I wasnīt alone.

Being back in Copacabana the next day I met my three fellow travellers from the day bafore again and watched with them the blessing of all sorts of valuable things: houses (in miniature), cars, fake dollar notes, etc. The idea is that after a priest blesses these things they will become reality for the believer. It was Sunday and tons of people in front of the cathedral celebrating an open air mass which was actually quite nice - havenīt been to church for a while...

. The same afternoon we left for Puno in Peru. Time for me to reflect a bit the country where I have been travelling for almost a month. I definately had a great time! The best of Bolivia for sure is its fascinating and varied landscapes, from snow covered mountains to the jungle. In terms of culture and people I have seen better but I will still give them three stars (five max):